One of the all-time best jiu-jitsu competitors, Hannette Staack, is making the jump to MMA.
Inducted to the IBJJF Hall of Fame after capturing seven world titles between 2002 and 2011 and clinching three ADCC gold medals, Staack decided to try something different in 2021. Leader of Brazil-021 gym in Chicago, the 41-year-old legend flew to Rio de Janeiro this past December to train at Nova Uniao, and that’s when she was approached with the idea.
“I wanted to do something to challenge myself,” Staack said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Since I already have a few titles in jiu-jitsu, no-gi and the ADCC, I didn’t see much sense in entering more tournaments, except for superfights.